Caister Lifeboat has placed an order for a new all-weather lifeboat - starting a multimillion pound investment in lifesaving for the future.

Diverse Marine, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, won the competitive tendering process to build the first in the Medina Lifeboat class.

Measuring 14m, the boat designed by Walker Marine Design, will be capable of a top speed of at least 35 knots.

Caister’s coxswain Guy Gibson said this is the product of years of research and design refinement by the team at Caister Lifeboat.

“This boat is going to be impressive because it’s a state of the art boat,” he said. “It features a fully enclosed wheelhouse, a designated survivors area and all the most up to date electronics and navigation equipment.

 “We’ve learned from our current lifeboat, and taken the best bits of its design, and we’ve learned from other boats on the market to design and build this boat. 

“The Medina has been tailor made for us at Caister, with our beach and our coastline in mind. It will be a first-class asset to saving lives off the Norfolk coast."

Mr Gibson and his crew are now working with design engineers on the new launch system and a new tractor, with a combined investment expected to total £2.5m.

Paul Garrod, Chairman of Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service says “This marks the next chapter in the history of Caister Independent Lifeboat. 

"Our current lifeboat has served us well over the last 17 years, and carried out many rescues during her time on service. 

"The new lifeboat will be purpose built for our needs at Caister, and the Directors, Crew and Members and all our volunteers are excited and proud that it will be built in the United Kingdom.”

The 14m self-righting Lifeboat features an aluminum hull, deck and coach roof and a resiliently mounted GRP wheelhouse to reduce noise and vibration for the crew. 

The original Medina class was designed by David Stogdon MBE in Cowes in the 1970s. That design was rejected by the RNLI but later adapted by the Dutch lifeboat service the KNRM - which made it into the Valentijn Class. 

Having operated a Dutch-built Valentijn at Caister since 2004, the Medina has now come full-circle to become Caister’s lifeboat of the future.

Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine says “We are delighted and very proud to be awarded this contract for this Lifeboat for such a high profile and respected charitable organization. 

"Our expertise building high quality workboats and repair and maintenance of Lifeboats stands in a good position to deliver this first of class vessel meeting the specific requirements from the crew of the Caister Lifeboat

The design features include a fully air conditioned wheelhouse, designed for up to six crew, all with designated AllSalt Maritime SHOXS 2000 seats. 

It’s configured for a central helm station forward, nav station aft to starboard and an additional dedicated space for stretcher and casualties. 

Power is achieved by twin Scania DI13-077M main propulsion engines, driving twin Hamilton HJ364 water jet units for speeds in excess of 35 knots. 

Twin helm stations will feature Hamilton Jet’s AVX control system and Jet-Anchor functionality for station keeping.  A comprehensive navigation and communications suite will be supplied by Boat Electrics and Electronics Ltd.

The vessel has commenced build and will be delivered in 2022.